1990S PROBLEMS IN THE PERSIAN GULF Operation Desert

1990’S

PROBLEMS IN THE PERSIAN GULF • Operation Desert Shield 1991 • Iraq- controlled by Saddam Hussein Invades oil rich Kuwait • United States fear he will invade Saudi Arabia next • UN send hundreds of thousands of troops in to protect • Under control of US Gen. Norman Shwartzkopf • Operation Desert Storm • Iraq refused to leave Kuwait and US drops the hammer • Laser guided missiles destroy military and civilian targets • After 6 weeks Iraq still won’t back out! • Send in the troops • After only 100 hours Kuwait is liberated • Saddam signs a cease fire and pulls his troops out • Prez approval rating soared over 90%!!!

ELECTION OF ‘ 92 • Republican Candidate was President Bush • Bush’s popularity soared after Desert Storm… • But a poor economy hurt his re-election chances • Democrats nominated Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton • Focused on economy and reducing unemployment • Many did not want Bush or Clinton… • A grassroots movement started backing H. Ross Perot

A “NEW DEMOCRAT”: 1992 -2000 • Arkansas Gov. • Working class, single parent household • Charismatic • Opposed Vietnam War • New Democrat • Fiscally conservative • Socially moderate • Multilateralism

MAIN ISSUES AND EVENTS • Tried to allow gays and lesbians to openly serve in the military • Failed. Cultural conservatives and military leaders opposed it. “Don’t ask, don’t tell. ” • Tried to reform health care system to benefit the poor and uninsured. • Failed. Pharmaceutical industry, doctors, republicans opposed it. • Balance the Budget. • Succeeded. Returned taxes on the rich back to previous levels. Cut spending. Increased tax credit for low income families • Gun Control • Brady Bill of 1993 • Background checks on handguns • Banned 19 kinds of “assault weapons” • Provided 100, 000 additional police officers nation wide

“CONTRACT WITH AMERICA” • 1994 Congressional Elections • Newt Gingrich • Speaker of the House • Welfare “Reform” • Balanced Budget • More prisons & harder sentences • Defense spending • End abortion

CLINTON WINS AGAIN… BUT… • Republicans hoped to regain the White House in ’ 96 • But… things were good! • Low unemployment, healthy economy, fixing crime issues. • Clinton easily beats Rep. Bob Dole • Then troubles come for Bill • 1998 - A scandal emerges with an Affair with an intern- Monica Lewinski • Bill denies allegations • Evidence suggests it happens • Uh oh, that means he lied under oath! • He becomes 2 nd president to be impeached • Congress agreed he lied, but was this enough to fire him? ? ? • 12 Feb 1999 Congress votes… • Bill survives the impeachment process!

THE BIGGEST THING TO COME OUT OF THE 90’S … https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=1 UStbv. Rnwm. Q